Ronnie B Good
by Tommy Zarzecki
It's safe to say that, if you know who Ron Bennington is, you have to love the guy; it's simply impossible not to. Of course, he's funny as all hell-that's a given. He has a razor-sharp wit and his comebacks are quicker than a one-dollar lap dance. This clever conversationalist possesses a boundless knowledge of movies, music, history, and sports. And, he is most genuine-a guy with a ton of heart who always tells it exactly like it is.

Now, if you don't know him, you'll wish you did. Ron is not only an ardent brother of the leaf, but he is also the cohost of XM Satellite Radio's highly acclaimed Ron and Fez Show. Ron and sidekick Fez Whatley have broadcast under the R&F moniker since 1997, starting in the Tampa, Florida, area, then moving to New York City, on to Washington, DC, then back to Manhattan. Mainstream terrestrial radio treated them well and the show-featuring Ron with his blistering one-liners as the voice of reason to Fez's nutty, often neurotic rants-garnered millions of loyal listeners over the decade. Then, on September 12, 2005, the boys made the bold move to explore the vast and burgeoning new frontier affectionately known as satellite, the extra-terrestrial home to notable acts such as Howard Stern and Opie and Anthony.

Mr. Bennington was gracious enough to meet with me on a Friday afternoon at Manhattan's own Club Macanudo, one of the last true bastions where a person can revel in a good smoke in New York, and a place I knew Ron would enjoy the gorgeous surroundings, terrific cuisine, and, of course, a bevy of sumptuous cigars. (I know-it sucks to be me, don't it?) We start off with a couple of easygoing Punch Grand Crus to set the mood, as Ron nods his head, motioning for me to fire away.

The first thing I have been dying to know is, what is the true difference between doing a show on satellite as opposed to mainstream FM radio... other than the obvious fact that you can curse like a sailor if you want to.

"It's really all about being able to break every radio rule we all learned," Ron says in a matter-of-fact tone. "You can have more obscure guests and talk about topics other than what is in the mainstream. But I think the real jump will be made by the personalities who come up through satellite, as opposed to mimicking what has always been done on terrestrial radio. I think we're going to see an all-new dynamic, a brand new way that radio sounds. There will be new rules to play by."

Ronnie is such a friggin great guy and we've actually become pretty good pals since I've written the article. The thing I was so impressed with was how laser-fast he thinks on his feet and how goddamned funny he really is. I think he may be one of the most underrated people on radio.

I had been a fan of the show for years and I knew what a cigar hound he was so I pitched the editors ad they dug the idea. We smoked some stoags, wolfed some chow and I came out with one kick-ass fucking interview.

I also write the daily blog for JR Cigars, on www.jrcigars.com called JR Cigars Blog with the Zman. Either this week or next I'll be doing a Q&A with Ronnie on the blog. It will be guaranteed good shit! I'll post here when it goes up.

I have dug O&A and R&F for a long time and it's cool to finally join this board.

Ronnie is such a friggin great guy and we've actually become pretty good pals since I've written the article. The thing I was so impressed with was how laser-fast he thinks on his feet and how goddamned funny he really is. I think he may be one of the most underrated people on radio.

I had been a fan of the show for years and I knew what a cigar hound he was so I pitched the editors ad they dug the idea. We smoked some stoags, wolfed some chow and I came out with one kick-ass fucking interview.

I also write the daily blog for JR Cigars, on www.jrcigars.com called JR Cigars Blog with the Zman. Either this week or next I'll be doing a Q&A with Ronnie on the blog. It will be guaranteed good shit! I'll post here when it goes up.

I have dug O&A and R&F for a long time and it's cool to finally join this board.

Later,
Tommy Z. aka The Zman

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Thanks for the post, Zman! I can't wait to pick up the edition, and reading the entire article. Glad to hear you are one of us! :clap:

Ronnie is such a friggin great guy and we've actually become pretty good pals since I've written the article. The thing I was so impressed with was how laser-fast he thinks on his feet and how goddamned funny he really is. I think he may be one of the most underrated people on radio.

I had been a fan of the show for years and I knew what a cigar hound he was so I pitched the editors ad they dug the idea. We smoked some stoags, wolfed some chow and I came out with one kick-ass fucking interview.

I also write the daily blog for JR Cigars, on www.jrcigars.com called JR Cigars Blog with the Zman. Either this week or next I'll be doing a Q&A with Ronnie on the blog. It will be guaranteed good shit! I'll post here when it goes up.

I have dug O&A and R&F for a long time and it's cool to finally join this board.

Ronnie is such a friggin great guy and we've actually become pretty good pals since I've written the article. The thing I was so impressed with was how laser-fast he thinks on his feet and how goddamned funny he really is. I think he may be one of the most underrated people on radio.

I had been a fan of the show for years and I knew what a cigar hound he was so I pitched the editors ad they dug the idea. We smoked some stoags, wolfed some chow and I came out with one kick-ass fucking interview.

I also write the daily blog for JR Cigars, on www.jrcigars.com called JR Cigars Blog with the Zman. Either this week or next I'll be doing a Q&A with Ronnie on the blog. It will be guaranteed good shit! I'll post here when it goes up.

I have dug O&A and R&F for a long time and it's cool to finally join this board.